Volvo V40 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volvo V40 car check
Is the Volvo V40 reliable? We analysed 1,865,374 real MOT tests across 172,439 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volvo V40? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volvo V40 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volvo V40.
Volvo V40 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volvo V40. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volvo V40 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volvo V40 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volvo V40 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volvo V40 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volvo V40 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volvo V40 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volvo V40 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volvo V40 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volvo V40 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volvo V40 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 42,115 | 86.1% | 20,896 | 31,333 | 45,252 |
| 2018 | 81,708 | 84.8% | 23,909 | 35,909 | 52,191 |
| 2017 | 106,286 | 84.4% | 28,106 | 42,458 | 61,654 |
| 2016 | 138,316 | 82.0% | 32,286 | 48,746 | 70,197 |
| 2015 | 165,948 | 79.5% | 37,549 | 56,962 | 80,954 |
| 2014 | 194,818 | 79.1% | 41,000 | 62,683 | 88,548 |
| 2013 | 152,114 | 79.7% | 45,837 | 70,756 | 99,970 |
| 2012 | 35,273 | 78.7% | 48,136 | 75,001 | 105,766 |
| 2009 | 192 | 70.8% | 48,105 | 77,266 | 108,580 |
| 2008 | 213 | 70.9% | 52,741 | 84,591 | 123,427 |
| 2007 | 63 | 68.3% | 83,986 | 135,551 | 156,060 |
| 2006 | 84 | 73.8% | 64,975 | 90,322 | 126,468 |
| 2005 | 315 | 67.0% | 82,163 | 112,570 | 149,050 |
| 2004 | 74,333 | 67.9% | 57,931 | 89,305 | 125,088 |
| 2003 | 130,023 | 68.2% | 59,741 | 91,199 | 126,436 |
| 2002 | 140,690 | 67.8% | 65,663 | 96,542 | 129,600 |
| 2001 | 135,824 | 67.9% | 69,787 | 97,793 | 128,184 |
| 2000 | 121,912 | 66.7% | 71,973 | 97,672 | 125,905 |
| 1999 | 125,174 | 65.6% | 79,086 | 104,517 | 131,771 |
| 1998 | 101,688 | 64.3% | 83,927 | 108,460 | 134,828 |
How Long Does a Volvo V40 Last?
Based on 172,439 Volvo V40 vehicles on UK roads.
Volvo V40 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volvo V40 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volvo V40
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.1% MOT pass rate from 42,115 tests
61.4% MOT pass rate from 22,365 tests
The best year to buy a used Volvo V40 is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.1% across 42,115 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volvo V40 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo V40 THIS CAR | 73.7% | 1,865,374 | 76,415 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo V70 | 71% | 1,930,508 | 113,181 mi | 29 yrs |
| Volvo S40 | 69.9% | 1,390,271 | 84,701 mi | 30 yrs |
| Volvo XC90 | 74.6% | 1,122,947 | 87,449 mi | 23 yrs |
| Saab 9-5 | 74.3% | 735,114 | 97,615 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Volvo V70 (71.0% pass rate) and the Volvo S40 (69.9% pass rate), the Volvo V40 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volvo V40 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volvo V40Should you buy a used Volvo V40?
The Volvo V40 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.7% across 1,865,374 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volvo V40 are position lamp(s) not working (66,595 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (49,904), and brake pipe excessively corroded (43,421). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volvo V40 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volvo V40 owner drives around 6,937 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volvo V40 models stay on UK roads for around 30 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.